Bollywood star, dancer, and singer Nora Fatehi will perform at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Toronto, Canada. She will perform the official FIFA song 'Sir Sir,' inspired by a popular Moroccan football slogan meaning 'let's go, move forward.' Fatehi hopes it will become a global slogan for World Cup supporters.
In an interview with BBC Newsbeat, Fatehi said, 'This is the time when countries from different parts of the world come together with their talents. Football and music always go hand in hand. I wanted to use this platform to represent, showcase various cultural practices, and tell my story.'
From Toronto to Bollywood to the Global Stage
Born in Toronto to Moroccan parents, Fatehi moved to India at 22 to pursue acting and dancing. Despite challenges with language, culture, and competition, she gradually made her mark in Bollywood. Hits like 'Dilbar,' 'O Saki Saki,' 'Nach Meri Rani,' and 'Manike' made her one of India's most talked-about performers.
Describing her upcoming performance in her hometown at such a grand event as 'unreal,' Fatehi said, 'It's an inspirational story. It's the story of someone who dared to dream. I want people to be inspired by my journey and become courageous in pursuing their dreams.'
'Sir Sir': From Moroccan Streets to the Global Stage
'Sir Sir' is created by French-Ivorian artist Vegedream and Bangladeshi-American music producer Sanjoy Deb. The song blends Moroccan Darija, Arabic, French, and English. Fatehi believes this multilingual format captures the true spirit of the World Cup.
The music video was shot on the streets of Morocco, showing how children playing football in neighborhood fields can one day reach the global stage. Fatehi said, 'Football has a journey, just like an artist. Every artist associated with this song has a similar journey.'
From Qatar to Canada
This isn't Fatehi's first World Cup. She performed at the 2022 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony. However, she considers this experience more special as she is part of the official World Cup soundtrack. She has been rehearsing, fitting costumes, and preparing the stage for the opening ceremony.
Morocco in Her Heart
When asked which team she will support, Fatehi's answer is clear: Morocco. She is optimistic about Morocco, the first African team to reach the semifinals in the 2022 World Cup. Their first match against Brazil ended in a 1-1 draw.
Fatehi said, 'They are not just representatives of Africa, but a team that has overcome numerous challenges to get here. I believe Morocco can achieve something extraordinary in this World Cup.'
